Every single day of a month has borne an event that would eventually become historical. So is the case with March 22nd, when Muhammad Ali defended his world and lineal titles for the last time before being exiled from the sport of boxing, and nearly imprisoned by the United States government for draft evasion. Ali protested the war in Vietnam in the 1960’s, which led to him eventually being sentenced to prison – which he later managed to avoid but was forced to remain inactive in boxing.
In boxing, the legendary fighter Muhammad Ali seems to be more known for what he did outside the ring, rather than in it. His decision to refuse to fight in the Vietnam War might have been one of his most famed actions, and has – at the very least – contributed to him becoming a sports icon. His strong refusal to fight in another country to kill men and women who had never done him harm, resonated with many people who understand the horrors and senseless of war; especially wars that are waged without the interests of the people in mind.
The Vietnam War, which spanned from November 1st, 1955, to the 30th of April, 1975, was arguably one of the most pointless wars that has ever been waged. Though many will attribute the importance of the war to increased potential aggression from the Soviet Union, the fact remains that hundreds of thousands – which includes an unfathomable amount of civilians – had died in a war that was clearly just a set of political mishaps, while ironically styled as a war for freedom, democracy and peace.
Muhammad Ali was wise enough to see through the political echo chamber and witnessed the deaths – and other such misfortunes – happening more than those that initiated the war. His stance resulted in a three-year exile that had people doubt whether he would become champion again when he returned to the ring in 1970. As we all know, Ali proved everyone wrong by eventually ending up to become the lineal Heavyweight champion two more times.
Ali’s last fight before his forced departure from the sport saw him face Zora Folley, a former Sergeant in the US army who had participated in the Korean War, on March 22 in 1967. Ali won the fight by knockout in the seventh (out of fifteen) round, but notably felt a bit nervous and almost deferential to Folley who he highly respected.
Folley was best known for his defensive and counterpunching abilities in the ring, as well as his patience to see tough fights out in order to land the right punch, at the right time. He was picked as a worthy contender after a winning streak of seven matches which also saw him knockout the last opponent – before facing Ali – in just the first round.
Muhammad Ali boxing ability was in full display in his match against Folley, held at the Madison Square Garden in New York City. As he had quoted himself once upon a time, Ali “flew like butterfly” and “stun like a bee” throughout his bout with Folley. Using his slick footwork, his range and a fair amount of antics to throw his opponent off, Folley didn’t find much success no matter what the threw at Ali as “The Greatest” Heavyweight champion avoided Folley’s shots while tagging him with multiple of his own.
Foley sometimes seemed to have spurts where it looked like he had Ali beat, but the clever legendary Heavyweight always seemed a step in front of Folley who only got caught in Muhammad Ali’s traps while he attempted to launch himself on Ali. A set of combinations in the seventh round – and most notably a powerful right hand – finished the fight, and made record his 29th win, while remaining unbeaten and defending his heavyweight lineal title for the 9th time.
Muhammad Ali is undoubtedly a legend in the sport that has made his mark inside and outside of the ring. March 22th, is just one of a few other significant dates in which Ali proved himself to be among the best, if not the best, fighter on the planet.
